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SidDithers (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-20-09 09:57 AM
Original message
Shona Holmes didn't have a brain tumour...
Edited on Mon Jul-20-09 09:59 AM by SidDithers
as her ads for Patients United Now would have you believe. She had a Rathke's cleft cyst, as reported by the Mayo Clinic back in 2007. Kos diary here:

Still, I found Holmes tale both compelling and troubling. So I decided to check a little further. On the Mayo Clinic's website, Shona Holmes is a success story. But it's somewhat different story than all the headlines might have implied. Holmes' "brain tumour" was actually a Rathke's Cleft Cyst on her pituitary gland. To quote an American source, the John Wayne Cancer Center, "Rathke's Cleft Cysts are not true tumors or neoplasms; instead they are benign cysts."

I almost feel sorry for Ms. Holmes. She's been involved in court cases in Canada for a few years, on behalf of our own right wingers. But by involving herself in the US health care debate, on the side of the wingnuts, she's entered a whole new ballgame. One that's played for keeps. I'll take no great joy when she gets destroyed, but I don't think I'll have much sympathy, either.

ed note: This is at least the second time I have seen liberals talk about destroying someone who disagrees with their ideology. Sounds like Obama has given them the go ahead to be out and out blatent about it. After all Obama is.

Sid

Mayfield Clinic neurosurgeons

Pituitary tumors grow from the pituitary gland, the master gland of the body, located deep in the skull. These tumors can affect the whole body by interfering with normal hormone production. As the tumor grows, it can cause a variety of symptoms including compression of nearby nerves, resulting in vision problems. There are various kinds of pituitary tumors: adenomas, craniopharyngiomas, and Rathke’s cleft cysts.Most are benign (not cancerous) and are often curable. Treatment options aim to remove the tumor or control its growth and restore normal hormone function. You may need medications to correct hormone levels.

Nonfunctional tumors do not secrete hormones. Instead, they grow until their size and mass effect cause headache, vision loss, nausea, vomiting, or fatigue. Based on size, pituitary tumors can be either microadenomas (less than 10mm) or macroadenomas (larger than 10mm). Large tumors can press on the optic nerves and invade the cavernous sinuses, which house the carotid arteries and the nerves involved in eye movement.

No matter what they say-Rathke's cleft cyst are considered a kind of a pituitary tumor by many brain surgeons and she was having increasing vision problems---and was told she needed to wait several months to see a neurosurgeon in Canada. I don't care what they say, that's unacceptable and no matter that what the dems are proposing-that it is different than the Canadian system it still will involve rationing and increasing wait times for appointments.

This was a link from the Daily Kos.

Shona Holmes was in trouble: The list of her symptoms included headaches, sleeplessness, dizziness, low libido and, worst of all, rapidly deteriorating vision. Her family doctor in Canada ordered an MRI, and a brain tumor was detected. But it would take months for her to get on the appointment calendar of a neurologist or endocrinologist in Canada.

Their further tests revealed an increase in the size of her cyst over a short period of time as well as progressively worsening vision. "I was concerned that the pressure on Shona's nerves were causing her to become blind," says Dr. Patel. "We needed to remove the cyst to save her vision."

They say as time went on conservatives made out that what she had was worse than the last time. Yet this ( the above quote) was from the original article in Mayos newsletter.

Gee, I wonder how many liberals would be willing to wait months to get an appointment when their vision was worsening and they were concerned (and Shana was right to be concerned of just that). They act as though this wouldn't happen in the US, but they won't look at reality because it gets in the way of their ideology.

Just because it wasn't cancerous doesn't mean it wasn't a tumor, nor does it mean that it isn't a problem. I know-my Grandfather died of a non cancerous brain tumor.

Here's another site:

Pituitary Tumors and Related Problems
OVERVIEW:
Pituitary adenomas and related tumors that arise around the pituitary gland are relatively common. The most frequently encountered tumors are pituitary adenomas, Rathke’s cleft cysts (RCCs) and craniopharyngiomas. Other tumors that occur in the skull base region near the pituitary gland include meningiomas, chordomas and, sphenoid sinus carcinomas. Other brain tumors that can arise near the pituitary gland include gliomas and epidermoid cysts.

Gee, the site they quote say it is not a "true tumor" meaning it acts like a tumor even if they do not consider it a tumor. Sort of like "a kind of puitary tumor". And gosh--it requires brain surgery to get rid of it. And it can reoccur.

Any foreign growth like that is going to cause pressure on the brain, and lead to neurological problems. Plus, the pituitary gland regulates so many of the body's functions, that having even a benign growth can interfere with daily functioning.

Gee, I wonder how many liberals would be willing to wait months to get an appointment when their vision was worsening and they were concerned (and Shana was right to be concerned of just that). They act as though this wouldn't happen in the US, but they won't look at reality because it gets in the way of their ideology.

The elite east coast liberals with the big bucks wouldn't wait because they could easily cough up the $100,000+ bucks for the operation at the Mayo clinic by selling a few of their Volvos and giving up their Starbuck Lattes for a couple of years. The poor ones that couldn't raise the cash or their insurance co.s won't pay will just have to go blind. That's just one more good thing about our health care system, it's got that whole survival of the fittest thing going for it.

Remember in our good old capitalist system money should decide who lives and dies not ignorant moonbats.

The elite east coast liberals with the big bucks wouldn't wait because they could easily cough up the $100,000+ bucks for the operation at the Mayo clinic by selling a few of their Volvos and giving up their Starbuck Lattes for a couple of years. The poor ones that couldn't raise the cash or their insurance co.s won't pay will just have to go blind. That's just one more good thing about our health care system, it's got that whole survival of the fittest thing going for it.

Remember in our good old capitalist system money should decide who lives and dies not ignorant moonbats.

Hey I think Satty is back under a different name!

One does not greet death when he knocks at your door.

Nay you repeatedly punch him in the throat as he slowly drags you away.

The elite east coast liberals with the big bucks wouldn't wait because they could easily cough up the $100,000+ bucks for the operation at the Mayo clinic by selling a few of their Volvos and giving up their Starbuck Lattes for a couple of years. The poor ones that couldn't raise the cash or their insurance co.s won't pay will just have to go blind. That's just one more good thing about our health care system, it's got that whole survival of the fittest thing going for it.

Remember in our good old capitalist system money should decide who lives and dies not ignorant moonbats.

Welcome, Rush. Be sure to post your pic in the CU picture thread.:D

I feel that once a black fella has referred to white foks as "honky paleface devil white-trash cracker redneck Caspers," he's abdicated the right to get upset about the "N" word. But that's just me. -- Jim Goad